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znModeratorBills win, as expected. So far in the playoffs it’s been the running game that has been winning, and the Bills could run the ball while Denver’s run game stalled.
znModeratorTexans best defensive plays from dominant win vs. Chargers | Wild Card Weekend
znModeratorPittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens Game Highlights | NFL 2024 Season Wild Card
znModeratorznModeratorznModeratorSteelers predictably lose to Ravens, and it was basically the running game.
Pitt, 29 yards on 11 attempts.
Balt, 299 yards on 50 attempts. (15 for Jackson, 26 for Henry). Just over 10 times the yardage and just under 6 yards an attempt rushing (with Henry averaging 7.1). Balt had the ball for nearly 40 minutes, Pitt for just over 20.
znModeratorMan, the Chargers pissed off one of the gods. They are just cursed to being a slightly above average team. Justin Herbert has never won a playoff game. Unbelievable.
Justin Herbert, 14/32 for 242, 1 TD, 4 INTs, 4 sacks
Just my opinion and everything, but frankly, that doesn’t sound that good. Though they did get 50 yards rushing, so there’s that.
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Next Gen Stats@NextGenStats
The @HoustonTexans defense had a standout performance in their Wild Card win over the Chargers, allowing -0.58 EPA per play, the 4th-fewest mark by a defense this season and the fewest in a playoff game in the NGS era (since 2016).The Texans pass rush pressured Justin Herbert on half of his dropbacks, led by Will Anderson (7 pressures, 1.5 sacks), Denico Autry (5 QBP, 1 sack), and Danielle Hunter (5 QBP).
Herbert was under pressure in less than 2.5 seconds 11 times (5 unblocked).
The 33rd Team@The33rdTeamFB
Justin Herbert threw more INTs vs. the Texans than he did in the entire 2024 regular seasonJosh Dubow@JoshDubowAP
Justin Herbert is 1st Chargers QB with 4 INTs in a playoff game since Stan Humphries had 4 vs Colts in 1995 wild-card game.The winning QB for the Colts that day? Jim Harbaugh
znModeratorfrom https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/vikings-vs-rams-expert-predictions-nfl-wild-card-weekend-2012810
The Rams handed the Vikings one of their three losses this season and were the only non-Detroit Lions team to beat Minnesota.
The Rams had an incredible bounce back in 2024 after starting the season 1-4. The Vikings had an unbelievable season in their first year with quarterback Sam Darnold at the helm, and enter the playoffs as one of the most dangerous teams.
The Rams’ last playoff win came during the 2021 season when they went all the way to the Super Bowl and beat the Cincinnati Bengals. The Vikings’ last playoff win came in 2019. Here’s how the staff expects this game to shake out.
* Matt Levine: This game has been moved to Arizona due to the wildfires in Los Angeles but the Rams should still feel at home. Los Angeles has battled all year with injuries but they’ve found different ways to overcome it all. The Vikings are favored considering they won 14 games this season, but Los Angeles has all the experience. Matthew Stafford elevates his game in the postseason and will help the Rams gain another big playoff win.
Prediction: Rams 26, Vikings 23
* Noah Camras: The NFL saved arguably the best for last with two teams capable of making a Super Bowl run facing off on Monday night primetime. The Vikings were one of the best teams in the league this season and just missed out on a first-round bye. The Rams were one of the hottest teams in the second half of the season, and had the postseason experience to get a big win. In the end, though, the Vikings will be too much for L.A. to handle, and they’ll move on to the Divisional Round and keep their dream season alive.
Prediction: Vikings 27, Rams 24
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from https://www.vikings.com/news/nfl-expert-picks-wild-card-rams-opinions-divided
* Rams 28, Vikings 24 – Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
The Vikings didn’t play well in the Sunday night loss to the Lions that cost them a chance at the No. 1 seed. Now they face a Rams team that rested a lot of key players last week. Sam Darnold needs to respond after a poor showing last week. The problem is the Rams defensive front can get after him. Matthew Stafford will be challenged by the Brian Flores defense, but I think he will make enough plays to pull off the upset.
In Week 8, the Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings 30-20 at home. The referees missed a facemask infraction late in the game, but the Vikings needed a late touchdown drive to potentially tie up the score anyway.
The Rams pressured Sam Darnold in that contest, sacking him three times, and limited the Vikings explosive plays over the top. Los Angeles may have the blueprint to slow down Minnesota’s ninth-ranked scoring offense.
* However, [Bleacher Report NFL analyst Brent] Sobleski picked the Vikings to flip the script on the Rams in this Monday Night Football matchup.
“When the Vikings traveled to the Los Angeles Rams in October, [Rams Head Coach] Sean McVay and Company emerged victorious,” Sobleski said. “Aside from the Detroit Lions, the Rams are the only team to have beaten Minnesota so far this season. An asterisk needs to be placed on that win, though.
“The game was on Thursday Night Football, four days after the Vikings faced the Lions. Meanwhile, the Rams hosted the Las Vegas Raiders the previous Sunday. Los Angeles caught Minnesota at exactly the right time,” Sobleski added. “Many will bet that history can repeat itself after the Vikings lost to the Lions in Week 18, whereas the Rams got to rest their stars. But the Vikings, who were clearly the better squad throughout the season, now have extra time to prepare with the game being on Monday. Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell knows McVay as well as anyone in the game. It’s difficult to envision the Vikings faltering the same way twice.”
* Rams 28, Vikings 27 – Bill Bender, Sporting News
Here is the “upset” of the week. The Rams are home underdogs against a Minnesota team coming off a brutal loss against the Lions. Los Angeles beat Minnesota 30-20 in Week 8. Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua combined for 12 catches for 157 yards and a TD in that game. Matthew Stafford had consistent home-road splits this season, and the Rams can win another close game here.
How will Sam Darnold respond after a brutal Week 18 performance against the Lions? This is his first playoff start, and it will be heavily scrutinized. The Rams were 3-3 as an underdog of four points or less this season, and we think they will generate just enough against the Vikings second-ranked run defense to spring the upset.
* Vikings 20, Rams 17 – Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
The Vikings lost to only two teams this season, the Lions (twice) and Rams. Before falling in Week 18 in Detroit, they lost back-to-back to Detroit and Los Angeles in Weeks 7 and 8. The Vikings just struggled playing all-out with Sam Darnold, while the Rams still looked good resting Matthew Stafford and other starters. That said, the Rams offense is a bigger issue than their defense in the second matchup, and this surprise low-scoring game will go to the savvier group in the rematch.
* 2 of 6 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB
* 6 of 10 experts (1 had not submitted) pick the Vikings, ESPN
* 2 of 8 experts pick the Vikings, Bleacher Report
3 of 8 experts pick the Vikings, The Athletic
znModeratorznModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social
We just spoke with Rams president Kevin Demoff for several minutes as the team prepares to travel to Arizona tonight.– There will be 450 total members of their travel party. 350 will leave tonight including players + coaches, family members, six dogs and two cats. Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill
donated a plane for the effort. 100 more, including game day entertainment staff and crews, will fly Sunday.
– The Rams have secured 15 buses to transport 750 fans to AZ. They are coordinating with Kelly Stafford, who is also securing buses.As I initially reported Thurs: Not just AQI that factored into decision. Removing fire personnel and first responders from fighting fires and related duties to meet the mandatory staff requirement to have an NFL game also significant.
“Heaven forbid a single home, car or human life was lost because some asset was diverted to SoFi Stadium, or that a fire fighter who has been working non-stop for 10 days had to stay on the front line to cover for a fire fighter who had to go to SoFi Stadium.
The Rams did not necessarily have to leave tonight, but VP Tony Pastoors said, “Hope is not a strategy.”
Thursday’s practice was a frightening experience for all, with so much changing from a previously safe zone over the course of just a few minutes.I would love to know more about the dogs and cats that made the trip. At first glance the ratio of humans to dogs (and cats) seems out of whack, but I am assuming that could be a product of fewer people (athletes and staff) in pro sports having a lifestyle that accommodates pets.
One of many elements for NFL to consider when deciding whether to move the game: local first responders and law enforcement officials that would be pulled out of support fighting the fires and other fallout to staff game. Usually about 100 in total + 2 full EMT crews + life support ambulances.
znModeratorMonday's Rams playoff game will be played at State Farm Stadium but the team will try to make it feel like a home game.
– Rams logos and markings on the field.
– Rams rally towels passed out at the gates.
– Rams videos on the scoreboard.
– @SamWithTheRams yelling, "Whose House?" pic.twitter.com/JhE5JhFB5h— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 11, 2025
znModeratorznModeratorznModeratorJourdan Rodrigue @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social
There’s a printed screen shot in the Rams locker room above a door of Dan Campbell telling Kevin O’Connell “I’ll see you in two weeks”znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social
One of many elements for NFL to consider when deciding whether to move the game: local first responders and law enforcement officials that would be pulled out of support fighting the fires and other fallout to staff game. Usually about 100 in total + 2 full EMT crews + life support ambulances.znModeratorVID #1: They do the Rams at 26:56 in.
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VID #2: They do the Rams at 19:53 in.
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znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@JourdanRodrigue
Arrived in Woodland Hills where Rams are still on their regular schedule for practice. Smells a bit smoky but relative to the rest of the area much more clear. Can see the smoke lines in the horizon surrounding the area. AQI for the valley currently at 119, “unhealthy forsensitive groups” per AirNow.
Rams sent a letter to season ticketholders essentially re-emphasizing the NFL’s own from Weds + thanking first responders. As of now, they are operating on the MNF schedule at SoFi.
I’ll add, I drove South to North from where I had re-located and into the valley so can speak to the smoke in the air, the smell and low visibility in Pasadena and LA relative to here. Please stay safe out there, and have a plan not just for location but for air quality.
znModeratorJourdan Rodrigue@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social
Ethan Evans has had a great second seasonznramsfan.bsky.social @znramsfan.bsky.social
You don’t take requests, but here’s one anyway–made respectfully & hopefully. After Karty’s game v. Seattle, & w/ Evans & Whittington coming through, & other things, is there a whole article on the journey from last year’s 32nd ranked special teams to this year’s unit?Jourdan Rodrigue @jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social
Hi yes! You know how much I appreciate (and/or criticize) special teams. Been gathering all year. Thank you for askingznModeratorThe wind gusts are devastating. Truly a hurricane of fire.Video: @stuartpalley.bsky.social
znModerator
znModeratorznModeratorBlaine Grisak @bgrisaktst.bsky.social
Rams rookie Jared Verse finished the season with a True Pressure Rate of 52.5. Only Chris Jones and Myles Garrett were higher. His 6.4 snaps per pressure led the NFL.Verse had 34 high quality pressures which also trailed just Garrett and Jones. His 13.2 snaps per high quality pressure ranked 7th.
Brett Kollmann@BrettKollmann
Jared Verse being third in the entire league in high quality pressures behind only Myles Garrett and Chris Jones is pretty nuts.One of the most impressive rookie seasons for an edge I’ve seen in a long time.
The 33rd Team@The33rdTeamFB
Jared Verse finished the regular season with 77 pressures, 4th most in the league behind only Trey Hendrickson (83), Myles Garrett (83), and Jonathan Greenard (80)Verse is the only rookie since 2020 to generate 70+ pressures — the next closest was Micah Parsons with 67
znModeratorThey do the wildcard game starting about 3:55 in.
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znModeratorFor those of you not from Los Angeles, this may help orient you on the scope of the Palisades Fire. pic.twitter.com/1b465iaH1U
— Mike Gatto (@mikegatto) January 7, 2025
znModeratorznModeratorznModeratorznModeratorI just want to say the obvious…this was a good draft.
Verse
Fiske
Corum (who flashed)
Kinchens
Limmer
Karty (who worked through a slump)
Whittington (who is a multi-role guy not just a WR, big on STs too)That’s a 70% hit rate (near as we can tell now).
70% hit rates are freaking unheard of. A 50% rate is considered excellent.
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znModeratorI like listening to Whit. The interviewer though talks too much.
znModeratorBlaine Grisak @bgrisaktst.bsky.social
Rams rookie Jared Verse finished the season with a True Pressure Rate of 52.5. Only Chris Jones and Myles Garrett were higher. His 6.4 snaps per pressure led the NFL.Verse had 34 high quality pressures which also trailed just Garrett and Jones. His 13.2 snaps per high quality pressure ranked 7th.
.The PFT defensive rookie of the year is Rams LB Jared Verse. (Others who deserved a mention were Rams DE Braden Fiske, Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell, Eagles CB Cooper DeJean.)www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootb…
— ProFootballTalk (@profootballtalk.bsky.social) 2025-01-08T02:27:10.011Z
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